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BOSTON - (BUSINESS WIRE) - February 1, 2018 - Audax Private Equity ("Audax") today announced that it has partnered with the Milot and Tao families, co-founders of Protective Industrial Products Global Holdings Inc. ("PIP Global"), to re-capitalize the company, a leading global supplier of hand protection products and other consumable personal protective equipment ("PPE"). Joe Milot will continue as President and CEO of PIP Global and both the Milot and Tao families will retain significant ownership interests in the Company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Geoffrey S. Rehnert, Co-CEO of Audax Group, said "PIP Global is a recognized leader in the consumable safety products market that has grown significantly during the last three decades. We look forward to supporting Joe Milot, his family, the Tao family and the entire PIP Global team to continue growing the business organically and through acquisitions."

PIP Global, headquartered in Latham, NY, is a leading, globally recognized, industrial safety platform providing an unparalleled product portfolio, the largest and most experienced sales force in the Industry, recognized unsurpassed service, and leading-edge marketing programs. The Company offers one of the broadest suites of PPE, including hand and arm, eye, head, hearing, body, and respiratory protection. PIP's products include such widely recognized brands such as G-Tek®, Bouton® Optical, Safety Works®, Ambi-dex®, Assurance®, Falcon®, Kut-Gard®, and Maximum Safety®. PIP Global partners in certain markets with leading innovators such as ATG®, JSP®, Pacific Helmets®, E-Flare®, and Hellberg®. For more information, visit www.pipglobal.com.

Joe Milot, President & CEO of PIP Global, said "We're excited to partner with Audax as we continue to build the PIP platform and truly become the global go-to supplier to distributors, dealers, and retailers for all their consumable PPE requirements. Audax' resources will help us accelerate our growth as we expand into new geographies, end markets, and product lines."

EC Mergers and Acquisitions acted as exclusive financial advisor and Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC served as legal counsel to PIP Global, and the Milot and Tao families. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as counsel to Audax.

ABOUT THE COMPANIES

PIP Global is a leading supplier of Hand Protection and Personal Protective Equipment to wholesalers and distributors worldwide. With locations throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia, PIP's mission of "Bringing the Best of the World to You®" is fulfilled everyday by providing best-in-class safety products worldwide. Additional information about PIP Global is available at www.pipglobal.com or by contacting Joe Milot, President & CEO, 518-595-1518.

Audax Private Equity has been focused on building leading middle market companies since its founding in 1999. Audax has invested $4.5 billion in 113 platform and 645 add-on companies. Through its disciplined Buy & Build approach, Audax seeks to help platform companies execute add-on acquisitions that fuel revenue growth, optimize operations, and significantly increase equity value. Audax Private Equity is an integral part of Audax Group, an alternative asset management firm specializing in investments in middle market companies. With offices in Boston, New York, and San Francisco, Audax Group has over $11.5 billion in assets under management across its Private Equity, Mezzanine, and Senior Debt businesses. For more information, visit the Audax Group website www.audaxgroup.com, or contact Geoffrey S. Rehnert, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Audax Group, 617-859-1503.

LATHAM, NY – April 5, 2019 – Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (PIP), a leading North American supplier of hand protection and general safety products, proudly announces its acquisition of QRP Gloves,…

Having spent 10 years in the fire protective clothing industry, I assumed marketing Hi-Vis garment was going to be easy. Turns out, it’s far more complex than I had anticipated. While we tend to think…

LATHAM, NY – February 6, 2019 – Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (PIP), a leading North American supplier of hand protection and general safety products, proudly announces the signing of a definitive…

If the hard hat is comfortable for the worker, it is more likely to remain on the workers head. The seasoned worker who has been on the worksite longer is accustomed to wearing a hard hat for long duratio…

Overselling glove characteristics is an easy thing to do. It is , therefore, important that we pay careful attention to the attributes assigned to each of the gloves. The applications are vast and in many…

Protective Industrial Products in Latham, New York, added 100 employees and expanded its presence in the food, drug and retail sectors when it acquired ear plug maker Hearos LLC of California last week.
"We…

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) controls all the regulations related to items that are added to food (i.e. direct additives) and items that may come in contact with food (i.e. indirect additives).…

Last weekend, I was helping someone move and got to experience firsthand the importance of having great grip. We all know the obvious importance of grip when handling sharp objects, but I really want to…

Many current studies related to the global safety market will highlight how disposable gloves account for growing share of glove consumption. One research document boldly professes that "disposable gloves…

Approximately 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise on the job every year, according to OSHA. Damaging noise can result in noise-induced hearing loss – something that OSHA notes…

Over the years, the industry has struggled to equate cut resistance with actual
risk. The recent updates to the ANSI 105 and EN 388 will provide a more uniformed
approach to assessing the cut resistant…

Protective Industrial Products in Latham, New York has acquired Century Glove Inc. in Summerville, Georgia.
It is the 20th acquisition for Joe Milot since 1984 when he had a disagreement with his bosses…

When it comes to arm protection, you don't have to settle for what's already out there. Each work environment, task, and person provides a different set of variables that affect the type of protection…

Bridget Milot remembers waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of invoices rolling across the fax machine when she was a little girl.
She was 12 years old the first time her father, Joe Milot,…

Proper safety on the job starts with being aware of your surroundings. A key part of this awareness is knowing the environment and knowing what protecive clothing to wear to be safe and compliant. Obviously…

Bridget Milot believes that big data and a bigger information technology department will position Protective Industrial Products to gain a larger share of the market for safety goggles, hard hats and gloves.…

One of the most critical components of PPE is fit. A secure, comfortable fit helps increase worker safety and compliance. Adapting PPE designs so they can properly fit women, who are generally smaller…

Have you ever been doing a simple task, not paying close attention to your surroundings and then accidently hit your head? It hurts! Imagine instead if it was a metal shelf or frame, piping, or a conveyor…

Cut protection gloves have undergone a wide array of changes over the years. Original cut protection goes back centuries when metal armor and chainmail were used for protection. This was an effective tool…

More than its name, a company is identified and recognized by its logo. Whether we’re driving down the road or walking through a supermarket, our subconscious is constantly active. We see a common restaurant…

We are currently in the midst of the season where our work environments expose us to the significant risk of heat stress illness. Understanding how your body works can help you avoid serious work related…

We see it nearly every day on our commutes: a vehicle on the side of the road with a flat tire or a mechanical issue. As a daytime occurrence, these instances are very easy to identify. At night, however,…

LATHAM, NY - June 22, 2016 - PIP is pleased to announce the addition of David Wilkes as Regional Sales Manager. David joins PIP with over 20 years of experience in the safety industry with a proven track…

Safety glasses, generally speaking, have been developed to help provide impact protection for your eyes. With injury risks that can range from scratched corneas to total loss of vision, protective eyewear…

As we commute in our cars, we often see people dressed in hi-vis vests and hard hats working along the side of the road. Often times we see signs that ask us to slow down, warn of danger and work zones…

If you grew up playing sports, you remember some of the basic safety aspects you were taught. One of the first lessons you learn in baseball is, "Don't throw the ball to someone who isn't looking." An…

LATHAM, NY – April 22, 2016, Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (PIP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Samantha Robbins as a National Account Manager. With more than 25 years of experience …

It's difficult to discuss how critical identifying and using the proper PPE is for those performing electrical work without bringing up the tragedies that continue to take place weekly across the US. Especially…

Hearing loss is preventable. Why, then, is it still so common? NIOSH notes that occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the United States. And according to OSHA, approximately…

Over the years, style and technology have changed. While providing basically the same purpose, the look changes and the functionality improves. While some people embrace the changes, others fear it. Even…

Not all glove decisions are solely price driven; many Safety Managers are focused on finding the right glove for the job. According to a 2013 study from TriComB2B in partnership with the University Of…

For decades, safety glasses with clear lenses have been the most common protective eyewear solution, and that pattern continues today. As a basic solution, they do provide good general protection. But…

LATHAM, NY - February 4, 2016 - In an effort to strengthen its best-in-class sales support and training in the Safety industry, Protective Industrial Product, Inc. is pleased to announce the realignment…

In 2014, nearly 24,000 eye injuries involving days away from work occurred, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states. Workplace-related eye injuries can have lasting and devastating consequences. However,…

A rebound in the automotive and construction industries have helped Joe Milot's company double its revenue over the last five years.
Milot is founder and president of Protective Industrial Products Inc.,…

For workers who wear protective clothing, getting dressed for the workday is serious business. Take a construction worker performing night work, for example. High-visibility clothing can help him be seen…

During the STAFDA 2015 Convention on Nov. 9 in Phoenix, AZ, the event's general session that morning included a "state of the industry" report on personal protective products from Robin Roberts, Vice President…

It’s often said that a worker’s greatest tools are their hands. With any job or task, there are minor or significant injury risks. In theory, this makes the need to provide appropriate protection while…

For those who have to work with chemicals, the hazards can be very painful, ranging from various degrees of skin irritation to chemical burns. The possibility of these injuries makes it critical to ensure…

Kurt Wanner, Vice President of National Accounts, is pleased to announce that Tim Kane will be joining his team as a National Account Manager. Tim will be responsible for HD Supply, Staples and Airgas…

The Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association recently announced the keynote speakers and theme for this year's 39th Annual STAFDA Convention and Trade Show, held Nov. 8-10 in Phoenix.
STAFDA…

LATHAM, NY - The board of Protective Industrial Products is pleased announce the appointment of two new members to the executive management team effective immediately.
Anthony Di Giovanni is now Vice Pres…

Protective Industrial Products (PIP) is pleased to announce the expansion of its national accounts team. This newly created team will be led by Kurt Wanner who has accepted to lead it under the newly created…

As an industrial distributor, you are likely aware of the current contract dispute between dockworkers represented by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union members (ILWU) and shipping companies…

The Beacon of Hope Award honors remarkable individuals and organizations
ALBANY, NY - The American Cancer Society (ACS) will honor the Milot family and Protective Industrial Products (PIP) employees at its a…

LATHAM, NY - NOVEMBER 11, 2014 - Protective Industrial Products is very pleased to announce the following appointment and additions to fuel our growth and innovation, while strengthening support of our…

Local American Cancer Society to Benefit
ALBANY, N.Y. - On Thursday, May 29, 2014, Protective Industrial Products (PIP) will present the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk with a check for $15,…

Latham, NY - May 27th, 2014, Protective Industrial Products Inc. is pleased to announce expansion of its marketing team.
NEW ADDITIONSJoining our team are two new marketers who will help augment our bra…

Latham, NY - April 24, 2014 - PIP joins the members of Western Safety Associates (WSA) in mourning the loss of longtime partner and founder, Gene Philip Hall, who passed away the morning of April 21, 2014…

Latham, NY - January 9, 2014, Protective Industrial Products is once again pleased to announce the following additions and appointments to fuel our growth and innovation.
NEW ADDITIONSJoining us as Pr…

ALBANY, NY - PIP is pleased to announce that as of Monday, December 30th, 2013, our Corporate Headquarters will move to nearby Latham, NY. Our new location will be home to our Executive, Administrative,…

A manufacturer in New York's Capital Region will take over the street-front offices at the headquarters of Plug Power Inc., the Latham, NY fuel-cell maker.
By year's end, Protective Industrial Products…

PIP is pleased to announce that PIP Product Specialists, Chris Barrington and Travis Estes have earned the designation of Qualified Safety Sales Professional (QSSP).
The QSSP course is a rigorous, week-long…

PIP's stellar growth, over the last 10 years, has positioned itself as a global leader in Safety Hand Protection and places PIP well on its way to becoming a referenced-leader in the Personal Protective…

PIP was recently honored for outstanding achievement in winning the Affiliated Distributors 2012 Supplier of the Year - Performance Award. To be recognized as a top performer in this esteemed group of…